Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report has spoken to a source close to Texans WR Andre Johnson who mentioned that Houston is likely to ask the veteran receiver to take a pay cut next year or they’ll release him.
According to Cole, “the belief is strong” that the Texans are likely to release him based on how deep next year’s rookie receiver class is expected to be. On top of that, rookies come with much lower salaries and this year’s crop of receivers have proven that they can have an early impact in the NFL.
Cole adds that this is the type of scenario that could happen more and more around the league over the next few years.
Just a few weeks ago, Johnson told reporters that he was hoping to finish his career with the Texans.
Johnson, 33, still has two years remaining on his seven-year, $62.7 million contract, which includes $48 million guaranteed. He’ll make base salaries of $10.5 million and $11 million over the final two years of the agreement.
Johnson’s remaining cap figures are $16,144,583 and $14.675 million, but the Texans would free up $8.825 million next year and another $12 million in 2016 if they were to release Johnson next year, according to OverTheCap.com’s calculator.
This season, Johnson has caught 69 passes for 737 yards receiving and two touchdowns over the course of 13 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 45 receiver out of 112 qualifying players.
This is a situation worth keeping an eye on in the next few months.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
He needs to be cut or traded, he is past his prime, was a distraction all last offseason, and makes way too much for a number 2 reciever since its clear Hopkins is the better player at this point. There will be free agents and rookies that can fill his role for half the cost or less.
With all that being said I hear that SF is collecting supposed “#1” recievers.
if kubiak stays,johnson will sign with ravens to replace FA Torrey Smith
They will ask him to take pay cut, but he have every rite to say NO. Who’s been throwing him the ball? Don’t worry I’ll wait….Exactly he will be most likely cut or least likely traded.
Ryan Fitzpatrick serviceable veteran starter for years, Ryan Mallet 3rd round was regarded as a 1st round talent, Tom Savage 4th round pick had a 2nd round grade. Andre Johnson requested a trade last season, refused to be a team first guy all offseason then after seeing what Bill O’Brien can do he comes out and says he wants to retire a Texan. Cut him. Do your team a favor. Less than 800 yards for over 10 million? Haha why???
Also take a look at DeAndre Hopkins stats.
Here since you obviously dont look at stats: 76 rec. 1,210 yards and 6 tds…but yet its the qb’s fault…
cant believe you posted this. Its so stupid. Fake
For some reason, people seem to think Jason Cole is not a reliable source, despite the fact that he’s covering the league as an NFL insider for several years and numerous outlets.
B/R lured him out of retirement to give their NFL coverage some validity.